1. What is the role of the National Visa Center (NVC) in I-601 waiver processing?

The National Visa Center (NVC) is responsible for collecting and retaining all necessary documentation and forms required for processing an I-601 Waiver application. The NVC will review the application and supporting evidence submitted to determine if the applicant meets the criteria for a successful I-601 waiver. If approved, the NVC will forward the application and related documents to the USCIS for further review.

2. How does the NVC process an I-601 waiver application?

The NVC (National Visa Center) processes an I-601 waiver application in the following steps:

1. The NVC will review the I-601 waiver application to ensure that all required information and documents are provided.

2. The NVC will then forward the application to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for adjudication.

3. The USCIS will review the application for eligibility and make a decision on whether to approve or deny the waiver request.

4. If approved, the USCIS will forward the approved I-601 waiver to the NVC.

5. The NVC will then issue a visa packet to the applicant, which will include instructions on how to schedule an interview at a local U.S. embassy or consulate.

6. The applicant will then attend their scheduled interview with all required documentation, including their approved I-601 waiver and any other necessary documents.

7. If approved, the applicant will be issued a visa and may proceed with their plans to travel to the United States.

3. Can the NVC deny an I-601 waiver application?

Yes. The NVC can deny an I-601 waiver application if they determine that the applicant does not have enough evidence to prove that their inadmissibility is based on extreme hardship to their U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse or parent.

4. Which documents does the NVC require for an I-601 waiver application?

The NVC requires the following documents for an I-601 waiver application:
#1. A Completed Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility.
#2. Evidence that demonstrates that the applicant’s U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse or parent would experience extreme hardship if the applicant’s visa is denied.
#3. Two color passport-style photographs of the applicant taken within the last 30 days.
#4. A copy of the applicant’s valid passport and any additional required supporting documents.
#5. A copy of the visa application fee payment receipt and any other applicable fees.
#6. Original police certificates from any country where the applicant lived for more than six months after age 16 (if applicable).
#7. A copy of the medical examination report (if applicable).
#8. Copies of all prior U.S. visas (if applicable)
#9. Evidence of a valid relationship with a qualifying relative (if applicable).

5. Does the NVC forward I-601 waiver applications to USCIS?

No, the NVC does not forward I-601 waiver applications to the USCIS. The applicant must submit the completed form and supporting documents directly to the USCIS office that is processing their immigration case.

6. What is the role of the NVC in collecting fees for I-601 waiver applications?

The National Visa Center (NVC) does not collect fees for I-601 waiver applications. The U.S. Department of State collects the I-601 waiver application fees, which must be paid directly to the USCIS.

7. How long does it take for the NVC to process an I-601 waiver application?

The processing time for I-601 waiver applications varies depending on the individual case. Generally, it takes the National Visa Center (NVC) up to 6 to 12 months to process an I-601 waiver application.

8. Does the NVC provide assistance to applicants with their I-601 waiver applications?

No, the National Visa Center does not provide assistance to applicants with their I-601 waiver applications. Applicants seeking assistance with their I-601 waiver applications should contact a qualified immigration attorney or a Board of Immigration Appeals accredited representative.

9. What is the NVC’s role in verifying an applicant’s identity for an I-601 waiver application?

The National Visa Center (NVC) serves as a conduit between the U.S. Department of State and the applicant for an I-601 waiver. The NVC will review the applicant’s identity documents and compare them against the information provided in the application. They will then forward the documents to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for a final review and adjudication of the I-601 waiver application.

10. How does the NVC provide support to applicants with a successful I-601 waiver application?

The National Visa Center (NVC) provides support to applicants with a successful I-601 waiver application by pre-processing the Form I-601A, Application for a Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement, once it has been approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The NVC will review and verify the I-601A application to ensure that the applicant meets the requirements for a waiver and will then forward the application to the U.S. embassy or consulate abroad for adjudication. NVC also provides information on the status of an applicant’s case and will answer questions regarding the application process.

11. When does the NVC typically contact an applicant about their I-601 waiver application?

The National Visa Center (NVC) typically contacts an applicant about their I-601 waiver application after the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has approved the waiver.

12. How does the NVC review an applicant’s submitted documents for an I-601 waiver application?

The NVC reviews an applicant’s submitted documents for an I-601 waiver application to determine if they meet the requirements of the law. The NVC typically looks at documentation such as proof of financial hardship, evidence of the extreme hardship that would be caused to the applicant’s qualifying relative if the waiver was not granted, and other factors related to the hardship finding.

13. How can applicants check the status of their I-601 waiver applications with the NVC?

Applicants can check the status of their I-601 waiver applications with the National Visa Center (NVC) by visiting the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC Status Check) at ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx. The CEAC Status Check will show the current status of an applicant’s I-601 waiver application and will provide important information regarding additional steps that applicants may need to take in order to complete the waiver process.

14. Does the NVC have any discretion in granting or denying I-601 waivers?

Yes, the NVC does have discretion in granting or denying I-601 waivers. The decision to grant or deny an I-601 waiver depends on a variety of factors, such as the severity of the applicant’s immigration violation, the hardship to themselves or a qualifying relative if the waiver is denied, and the applicant’s ties to their home country.

15. Does the NVC provide any guidance on how to prepare a successful I-601 waiver application?

The National Visa Center does not provide any guidance on how to prepare a successful I-601 waiver application. However, there are several resources available on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website that provide detailed information about the I-601 waiver and its requirements. Additionally, USCIS has also published a comprehensive guide for applicants filing the I-601 waiver. It includes information on who is eligible to file the waiver and how to submit evidence of extreme hardship.

16. Is there a fee associated with the processing of an I-601 waiver application by the NVC?

Yes, the current fee for processing an I-601 waiver application by the NVC is $585.

17. Can applicants submit additional documents to support their I-601 waiver applications after they’ve been submitted to the NVC?

Yes. Applicants can submit additional documents to support their I-601 waiver applications after they’ve been submitted to the NVC. The NVC will consider any additional documents that are submitted and will inform the applicant whether or not the documents are needed for the adjudication of the application.

18. Does the NVC have any authority to grant or deny an I-601 waiver application before it’s forwarded to USCIS?

No, the NVC does not have any authority to grant or deny an I-601 waiver application before it is forwarded to USCIS. Only USCIS has the authority to review and approve or deny I-601 waiver applications.

19. Does the NVC forward all completed I-601 waiver applications to USCIS or is there a review process involved?

The NVC does not review I-601 waiver applications and will forward all completed applications to USCIS for review.

20. Are copies of documents submitted with an I-601 waiver application retained by the NVC or forwarded to USCIS for review and processing?

No, copies of documents submitted with an I-601 waiver application are not retained by the NVC or forwarded to USCIS. The documents are reviewed and processed by USCIS.